4th of July

Drought and Famine in Africa

I heard a story on NPR this morning about the severe famine in the Horn of Africa that has left 30% of children acutely malnourished, and that 4 in every 10,000 children are dying each day. Link to that story.

Then on the Mennonite Central Committee's website there is an urgent request for funds for E. Africa, specifically Kenya and Ethiopia, because a severe drought the past two years has caused widespread famine affecting 11 million people.

I was thinking about my own beloved 2 year old, who has more than enough of everything, especially food. The poor parents of these children, who can't provide enough for any of their kids. It breaks my heart. Say prayers for these children and all the people affected by drought. Also think about donating to your favorite charities who may be doing work in Africa to help bring food to the most vulnerable.


Some links to organizations working in the areas mentioned -

MCC
Unicef
the World Food Program
Save the Children
CARE

This boy

is doing great with potty training, and he's going to be a big brother! We are expecting Baby Simpson #2 sometime around January 5, 2012.

Colorado Railroad Museum

Your children

Valentine's Day 2011

School

Ian + Dogs + Popcorn = too much fun

This was too funny not to share.

Wheat Grinder

My Mom got us a wheat grinder for our Kitchenaid mixer. It was one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year. Ian and John tried it out yesterday -


John made Cowboy Cookies, and they were yummy. No white flour or sugar were used in the recipe, so they aren't the prettiest cookies, but they are yummy.


Tonight I'm planning on making this -
Banana-Apple Bread
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 brown sugar (I'll use organic)
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed bananas

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9X5-inch loaf pan w/ cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the butter, applesauce, and brown sugar. Add the eggs and mashed bananas and stir until well blended. Add the banana and eggs to the flour mixture and stir until the flour is absorbed.
Bake in a loaf pan for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Take bread out of the oven and let sit for about 15 minutes. Invert the loaf pan onto a wire rack, remove the plan and let the bread cool.

I can't wait to try it.

Big Country

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NPR had a special on bluegrass music many years ago. We were driving home from my Grandma and Grandpa Miller's, listening to the radio, and this song came on. I was in the front seat, my Dad was driving, and I heard this song, Big Country, for the first time and I remember saying to my Dad that it was one of the best I've ever heard. I still feel that way. I wanted to share it with you.